CHENEY – When May Peterson moved to Cheney in August of 2019, the swimmer didn’t imagine she would be offered a scholarship and chance to swim for Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.
Peterson and her parents, Vic and Mariko Peterson, moved here from Okinawa, Japan, as her father transferred to Fairchild Air Force Base and retired earlier this year
Peterson said she is only a junior, so she still must complete her senior year in high school before officially signing on.
She is also the third member of the Cheney girls swim team to be offered a collegiate scholarship this year.
She said the Cheney program is showing a lot of success because, “the coaches are very serious about all of the swimmers developing skills bettering themselves, but the coaches keep the practices fun and are very helpful.”
Peterson was approached by multiple universities, but after some deliberation, the high school swimmer said, “Northwestern provided the best offer and opportunity for me.”
Peterson said she is “excited for the chance and that it has taken a lot of hard work, dedication, and support from others to get to this point.”
It is also too early to know the exact amount and timeline for the scholarship, but she is determined to keep working as hard as possible to solidify the scholarship.
The talented swimmer said she has been part of the Spokane Waves Aquatic Team for two years, but has been swimming since she was 7 years old.
As her father was in the Air Force for much of her childhood, Peterson said she spent a lot of time in Japan.
She said when she was 10 years old she participated in a very large Japan Junior Olympic swimming event, and only the Top 60 swimmers in Japan were able to compete.
Peterson said that was one of her major milestones regarding swimming as she took 10th place.
Since then, Peterson has been a two-time Scholastic All-American swimmer meaning she has been able to manage her grades very well.
The Cheney junior said she set event records when she was 15 and 16 years old, and these accomplishments push her even further.
She also said she almost skipped swimming for the high school this year, but changed her mind right before the season started.
Peterson said it can be extremely challenging and stressful trying to balance so much at a young age, “but you just have to find a way to keep going.”
The 17-year-old swimmer said she was glad she signed up with the Blackhawks though because the team had a very successful season.
“The success was a complete and well-rounded team effort, and we placed 10th in the state,” Peterson said.
Peterson also noted a couple of personal achievements during the state meet, as she took first place in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 54.60 this year. She also placed second in the 100-yard butterfly stroke at the event with a personal best time of 54.90.
She was just hired for a job, and looks to add that to her agenda as she is lightening her class work going into next year. She said the support from her family, neighbors and the community have been amazing and that really helps to motivate her moving forward.
Steve Forbes, a neighbor and family friend to the Peterson’s said, “I had the opportunity to coach for over four decades, most of which was at the high school level. I’ve seldom witnessed extraordinary in any venue, and it’s been a joy to see May separate herself from the mere mortal.
“Not only in the pool, but in everything she does in life.”
Matthew O. Stephens can be reached at reporter2@chcneyfreepress.com.
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